| In an attempt to overcome the limitations of titanium in dental and orthopaedic clinical application, a new method was used to prepare calcium carbonate coatings on smooth titanium (STi) and sandblasted and acid-etched titanium (SATi). The biological response of the materials were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro experiment, the surfaces of STi, SATi, calcium carbonate coated STi (CC-STi) and calcium carbonate coated SATi (CC-SATi) were characterized for surface roughness, contact angles, surface morphology and surface chemistry. The morphology of MG63 cells cultured on the surfaces was observed by SEM and Immuno-fluorescence staining. Cell attachment/proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, and cell differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. MG63 was found to attach favorably to calcium carbonate crystals with longer cytoplasmic extensions on CC-STi and CC-SATi, resulting in lower cell proliferation but higher ALP activity when compared to STi and SATi respectively. Moreover, CC-SATi is more favorable than CC-STi in terms of biological response. For in vivo experiment, the surfaces of SA and CC-SA implants were characterized for surface morphology and surface chemistry. Subsequently, these two kinds of implants were implanted in the femoral condyles of rabbits. After 1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks of implantation, the implants were retrieved and prepared for histological and histomorphometric evaluation. Significantly higher values of BIC_ALL and BIC_GAP were found in CC-SA implants in comparison with the SA implants at 4 weeks. Higher values of total gap bone (TGB) were found in CC-SA implants in comparison with the SA implants at 1,2 and 4 weeks. In conclusion, the calcium carbonate coatings on titanium were supposed to stimulate osteoblast differentiation, improve and accelerate the early ingrowth of bone and osseointegration at the early healing phase. And this method could possibly be a feasible alternative option for future clinical application.
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